The English We Speak

Intermediate level

To fight tooth and nail

Episode 190708
/ 08 Jul 2019

Summary

Rob’s not happy – his local cafe is changing the food it serves. He’s determined to get them to change their mind. When you are determined to get what you want, this English phrase might come in useful. Find out more about it in The English We Speak.

Transcript

FeifeiHello, this The English We Speak. I’m Feifei…

Rob…and hello, I’m Rob.

FeifeiYou’re looking a bit angry, Rob.

RobYes, I am. I’m really angry. I’ve just heard some bad news.

FeifeiOh no. What’s happened?

RobIt’s the cafe I go to. They’ve decided to become a vegan cafe – no more meat. Where am I going to buy my bacon sandwich from now?!

FeifeiThere could be worse things to get angry about.

RobReally? I don’t think so. I’m going to fight tooth and nail to get them to change their mind.

RobOf course not, Feifei. When you fight tooth and nail for something, you use a lot of effort and determination to get something you want. You can also do it to stop something happening too.

FeifeiBut it’s an odd phrase, Rob?

RobYes, it’s a very old English phrase, and basically means to use everything you have available to get the outcome you want.

FeifeiEven your teeth and nails?! Well, let’s hear some examples of people fighting tooth and nail…

ExamplesWe’re going to fight tooth and nail to stop them building a new motorway going right past our house.

After fighting tooth and nail, I finally managed to get the pay rise I felt I deserved.

My football team needs to fight tooth and nail to stay in the top division. They have to win today’s match!

FeifeiYou’re listening to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, and we’re talking about the phrase ‘to fight tooth and nail’, which means to you use all your effort and determination to get something you want or to stop something from happening. And Rob, that’s what you’re going to do to stop your favourite cafe from serving vegan food.

RobNot exactly – they can sell vegan food, but I want them to carry on selling bacon sandwiches – I love them. That’s what I’m fighting tooth and nail for.

FeifeiYes I know. Well it can’t be a vegan cafe if it sells bacon.

RobRight, well I’m going to organise a petition to get bacon back – do you want to sign it?

FeifeiNo I don’t – but Rob, have you seen this leaflet I was given? It says ‘50 percent off all vegan food this week’. And guess what? It’s at your favourite cafe.